Parts Washer:   Return to Case History Listings Page Reprinted from Finishers' Management Extending the Life of Parts Washing Solutions By Marilyn Casey, Liggett-Stashower, Inc.
	A Model 5H from Oil Skimmers, Inc. is used at Royston, LLC to decrease downtime and increase bath life.

Simple things we learn early in life might well apply to a basic need of the parts washing market: To look good--wash well before you "dress." Washing metal parts is a necessity prior to painting or plating; If the wash is not properly prepared and foreign substances are not removed from the metal in the wash phase, the finish -- the "dress" -- may not hold properly, and it may not wear well. Essentially, the wash is an imperative step in the process. And, as one manufacturer of parts washers discovered, a good oil skimmer is critical for the success of washing metal parts.

OEM Suggests Installation of Oil Skimmer

Oils can adversely affect the final outcome of metal parts production. Used during various stages of the manufacturing process, including stamping and machining, oils can adhere to the metal parts. If this oil is not removed, poor adhesion can occur during painting or plating. Thus, removal of the oil from the part is critical in the wash stage.

As the wash stage removes the oil, it accumulates in the wash solution. This accumulation contaminates the wash solution resulting in frequent bath (washing recharging) or improperly cleaned parts.

These problems lead to ever-increasing expenses that include disposal of the contaminated wash solution, additional use of chemicals, costly downtime, and increased labor.

Milbank Systems, Inc. (MSI), in North Kansas City, MO, is quick to acknowledge the critical importance attributed to a wash that is free of floating oil. For more than 15 years, it has been specializing in designing and manufacturing parts washing systems that are tailored to perform to high standards, which include a wash that is free of foreign substances, such as oil, which will adversely affect the painting and plating process.

To correct the costly problems of oil accumulation in the wash, the company provides for the installation of an oil skimmer when supplying washers for customers. After reading about various skimmers on the market, it sought help from Oil Skimmers, Inc., in Cleveland, OH.
MSI tested and installed a Model 5H oil skimmer. The skimmer effectively removes the oil, thus extending the life of the wash solution while maintaining product quality -- a benefit MSI considered when selecting Oil Skimmers for their operation.

How the Oil Skimmer Works

The fully automatic skimmer is simple in design, yet offers rugged construction. Oil adheres to the outside of a closed-loop tube as it is slowly drawn across the surface of the water, adjusting automatically to changing water levels. The oil covered tube passes through scrapers that remove the oil. The clean tube then returns to the water surface to collect more oil. The recovered oil flows into a collection container and is virtually water-free. Custom mountings can be designed to meet each customer's unique specifications.

"With the addition of the Model 5H, we have happier customers. The metals are cleaned of oil, we've saved the customer time and money, and the final plating or painting will ultimately adhere better, look better, and last longer on the metal parts," said Mike Palatas, director of engineering at MSI.

Ensuring Quality

One of Palatas' customers satisfied with the results of the skimmer is Royston, LLC, a manufacturer of modular merchandising systems for the convenience store industry. Royston, located in Georgia, has been in operation for 35 years. The company employs 200 people, which makes it one of the larger employers in the country.

According to Jerry Hall, plant engineer for Royston, installation of the oil skimmer suggested by Palatas accounted for less downtime. "During the operation, we monitor the quality of the bath," said Hall. "If the concentration of contaminates becomes too high, we must stop the operation and clean up the wash. Oil is one contaminate that must be kept to a minimum. The present unit we're using from Oil Skimmers does this. It removes nearly all the oil from the wash. Other types of oil skimmers we tried didn't offer the most satisfactory results."
Because the wash is cleaner, Hall also notices better parts cleaning, less use of chemicals to combat contaminates, and better salt spray test results. ""When we test painted samples in the salt fog cabinet, we test the effects of paint being assaulted by years of wear and tear by salt and heat. We've found that by using the skimmer, and eliminating oil contaminants, we get better test results," said Hall. Another benefit he sees in using a well-designed oil skimmer is that the process is less labor intensive. "Downtime to recharge the water requires additional labor to restart the bath. Plus, we don't have to monitor the wash as often, since we're putting in fewer chemicals. I also found that this oil skimmer can work unattended 24 hours a day. It just keeps doing its job without the need for someone to watch it.

While curtailed downtime and intensity of labor account for considerable savings, Hall says his biggest savings result in the use of less chemicals in the wash system. In addition to cost savings, Hall believes the major benefit of a well-designed oil skimmer is the quality of the end product. Like MSI, Royson also must please it customers. "Quality is an important tool in maintaining customers," said Hall. "When our customers get metal parts that will withstand years of exposure to heat and other elements, they'll be back.

"The benefits far outweigh the initial cost of the investment. We see immediate cost savings in production. But we also see an improved product appearance. And the quality and the longevity of the finish on our shelves has also improved. The real beauty of it, is that the oil skimmer just keeps on going. No maintenance problems, no breakdowns -- it just keeps on going."

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